World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen was first fined and then disqualified from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in New York for refusing to comply with the FIDE dress code after appearing in jeans.
Defending champion Carlsen was initially fined $200 for wearing jeans. When he refused a request for an immediate costume change made by head referee Alex Holowczak, he was eliminated and unpaired in Round 9 of the Rapid tournament on Wall Street. The Norwegian had agreed to follow the outfit from the next day but was not given the chance. “I’m tired of FIDE, so I don’t want this anymore. I don’t want anything to do with them. I apologize to everyone at home, maybe it’s a stupid goal, but I don’t think it’s fun,” Carlsen told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. He also told Take Take Take: “They can use their own rules. That’s fine with me. And my answer is, then I’m out. Like, f** you. I don’t think there’s anything else to say.”
“FUCK YOU” @MagnusCarlsen you are out. pic.twitter.com/3QWZtBHCPL
– Take Take (@TakeTakeTakeApp) December 27, 2024
Here is the reaction from the chess community to the impressive turn of events:
First, Carlsen himself sent a message to X with the caption ‘OOTD’ representing the outfit of the day.
OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv
– Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 28, 2024
American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, who is currently competing in the event, took this opportunity to write a poll: “Given today’s events, should every chess player in the World Rapid tournament in New York City wear jeans tomorrow?” For the record, with almost 8000 votes, a whopping 90% said they were #TeamMagnus.
Given today’s events, should every chess player at the World Rapid tournament in New York City be wearing jeans tomorrow??
— Hikaru Nakamura (@GMHikaru) December 28, 2024
Grandmaster and former women’s world champion Susan Polgar took the cheeky jibe, posting a photo on a jetski: “My dress code is totally inappropriate and unacceptable at the FIDE World Rapid/Blitz Championships! I accept full responsibility for my property and will not go against the published rules!”
My dress code is totally inappropriate and unacceptable at the FIDE World Rapid/Blitz Championships! I accept full responsibility for my property and will not go against the published rules! 🏝⛰🏖#WorldRapidBlitz #WorldChessChampionship pic.twitter.com/sql98KnqRW
– Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) December 28, 2024
Dutch GM Anish Giri, known for his sense of humor, simply wrote: “What happened?”
Grandmaster Emil Sutovsky and CEO of FIDE spoke to Take Take, explaining the decision: “We wanted to have some kind of peaceful resolution. Unfortunately, as Magnus himself admitted, it became routine for him. It’s not like he wasn’t given enough time. Unfortunately, he just decided not to do it. Yes, it hurts. But the decision is absolutely right. “
Watch more of his reaction here:
The chief executive of FIDE @EmilSutovsky answered u @MagnusCarlsen jeans drama. pic.twitter.com/H0jHG3XFVf
– Take Take (@TakeTakeTakeApp) December 28, 2024
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